Gabes Cinema Fen

مهرجان قابس للسينما

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Arts & CultureGabes
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
Duration7 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsGabes Cinema Fen was born directly out of a
Language["ar"]Currency: TND
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Gabes Cinema Fen in Gabes

Gabes Cinema Fen is an annual nine-day film festival founded in 2019 in Gabes, southern Tunisia, blending cinema, video art, and virtual reality. It succeeded the earlier Festival International du Film Arabe de Gabes after that event split over internal disagreements, and is led by general director Fatma Cherif with artistic direction from Ikbal Zalila, Malek Gnaoui, and Mohamed Arbi Soualhia.

Gabes is often described as the only oasis in the world that touches the Mediterranean directly, a geographic oddity that gives the southern Tunisian city a landscape unlike anywhere else the country's film festivals are held.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Gabes Cinema Fen was born directly out of a rupture: it succeeded the Festival International du Film Arabe de Gabes, which had already rebranded as the Gabes Film Festival in 2018 before internal disagreements caused a split, and a new association led by Fatma Cherif, Sami Tlili, Malek Gnaoui, and others rebuilt the event from scratch in 2019

02

The mystery stays covered

Rather than sticking to conventional narrative cinema, the festival explicitly combines film with video art and virtual reality, running a VR hackathon alongside art exhibitions spanning painting, performance, and urban interventions

03

The city starts moving

Its first edition set the tone by naming Egyptian actress Ilham Shaheen as honorary guest with filmmaker Hala Lotfy presiding over the jury, staging open-air screenings in a southern oasis city rarely centered in the national cultural calendar

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival reflects Gabes's unusual status as the only oasis directly on the Mediterranean coast

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and its founding out of a split from an earlier Arab film festival situates it within a broader pattern of Tunisian post-2011 cultural institutions being rebuilt by independent associations after disputes over direction or governance

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing given Gabes's warm oasis climate; casual dress works for both open-air screenings and gallery-style art exhibitions, with a light layer for cooler evening hours.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Gabes you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ar"] · TND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.89 N, 10.10 EOpen in Google Maps

Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia

Nearest airportDJE — Djerba Zarzis
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Gabes you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Gabes via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Gabes, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing given Gabes's warm oasis climate; casual dress works for both open-air screenings and gallery-style art exhibitions, with a light layer for cooler evening hours.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Tunisia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Gabes Cinema Fen?

Gabes Cinema Fen is listed for Past edition: 26 April–2 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Gabes Cinema Fen take place?

The festival is listed in Gabes, Tunisia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

7 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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